Joseph Boyd's Page

My son Austin was diagnosed as Type 1 in late October 2008, right before his third birthday. My sister was diagnosed as Type 1 almost eight years ago, and so I knew the symptoms (excessive thirst, urination, etc.) to look for.

We were in NYC at the time for my younger son Jackson's Neuroblastoma treatment. NB (as it is referred to) is a type of malignant cancer that affects the sympathetic nervous system. Nerve cells that are on their way to maturing, go haywire and rapidly grow. He had two rounds of chemo at Children's Dallas and the tumors were removed at MSKCC in Manhattan.

A few days before the surgery, I took Austin to a doctor for a cold. I did not want him to give it to Jackson before the surgery, or else they may have had to delay the operation. While there, I asked the doctor for a urine test to check for sugar, as he had been very thirsty for the preceeding month or two. I had tried to get his normal peds dr. to do the test 2 months prior, but he was new to potty training and the idea of going in a cup at 2 1/2 was not goting over well.

Sure enough, the Dr. came back with a sad look on her face, and said I was right and to take him to the the emergency room. We had walked from the Ronald McDonald house to the Dr., but we took a cab to the E.R. Luckily it was across the street from the Cancer Center that Jackson was being treated at.

Two sons in the hospital at the same time and while out of town. WOW!

To say the least, it was a very difficult time for us, and my wife and I only saw each other in passing for a few weeks. We learned quickly about blood sugar numbers, basal rates, shots, test strips, Lantus, etc.

We did well, and by Austin's next check up at home, his a1c was wdown to 6.5. We are now on the OmniPod and are loving it.

Jackson is also doing great. 6 months as NED (no evidence of disease) which is today's terminology for remission.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonboyd